This year, we’re celebrating an extended Black History Month by highlighting a variety of rising artists who are creating history before our very eyes. It’s only fitting that we begin this month-long series with popular music’s most forward-thinking, undeniable auteur: Kendrick Lamar.

Other hip hop artists have been able to command audiences this decade, but no other MC has been able to challenge the art form, while giving a much-needed voice to people shuffled to the margins of popular culture. With the piercingly personal good kid, m.A.A.d city and the culturally indispensable To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar has become a critically beloved titan—all without losing his sense of self or his roots.

With every new eye-popping video, must-see performance, mind-blowing verse and much-deserved award, Kendrick Lamar is becoming an all-time legend in music and the African-American community. Today, we celebrate his achievements, recognize his legacy, and look forward to what’s next.

Check back with Fuse every day through the end of February for more tributes to Future Black History artists!

The Faces of Future Black History

Each day from now until February 29 we're spotlighting musicians, actors, writers and more who we think are making moves now and are the future of Black history. Check back every day to see who's featured next!

Jan. 28: Kendrick Lamar

"Kendrick Lamar is popular music's most forward-thinking, undeniable auteur. Other hip-hop artists have been able to command audiences this decade, but no other MC has been able to challenge the art form..."

Jan. 29: Ava DuVernay

"DuVernay, best known for directing Selma, is quickly becoming much more than her most successful film project....In an industry full of white male auteurs, DuVernay's commercial and critical success proved downright inspiring..."

Jan. 31: Mike WiLL Made-It

"Mike WiLL Made-It has certainly engrained himself in musical history throughout the 2010’s—and not just within hip-hop. The Atlanta producer has expanded the sound of rap music while collaborating with some of the biggest names in pop...."

Feb. 5: Viola Davis

"For over two decades, Viola Davis has been providing subtly unforgettable performances to a host of projects, from Doubt (where she outshone Meryl Streep) to The Help (where she provided the center of a sprawling production)..."

Feb. 6: Gugu Mbatha-Raw

"Gugu Mbatha-Raw is the definition of a rising star: An actress who has quietly engrained herself into Hollywood culture and improved every project she’s been part of, the 32-year-old Brit is making the leap to superstardom before our very eyes..."

Feb. 7: Cam Newton

"Since being drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2011, the 26-year-old Atlanta native has carved a space out for himself among the NFL elite—and, more importantly, at a position traditionally dominated by white players..."

Feb. 8: Big Freedia

"Big Freedia's unapologetic sense of self undoubtedly charmed Beyoncé—not to mention the country with her reality docu-series Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce, currently reigning as Fuse's biggest television show to date..."

Feb. 9: Todrick Hall

"In every video and TV episode, Todrick has an unabashed commitment to being himself. He's upfront about his sexuality, his likes, his dislikes, being bullied; nothing's off limits. That commitment to being himself has paid off..."

Feb. 11: Janelle Monáe

"Janelle represents the unconventional outsider on so many levels and recognizes her spot: In 2013, she told Fuse her "Q.U.E.E.N." single was made "for people who feel like they want to give up because they're not accepted by society"..."

Feb. 17: The New Day

"The New Day are 'booked' on WWE TV as bad guys, but make no mistake, they are beloved by their audience and peers alike. All three members are incredibly gifted performers in the ring, and on the microphone they're just as skilled and entertaining..."

Feb. 18: Brittany Howard

"Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard is not merely a great rock frontwoman, she’s a sonic force of nature with the deep pipes, emotional songwriting chops and killer riffs that can’t help but make you feel all the feels..."

Feb. 19: Chance the Rapper

"Chance has made a point of doing things his way; he's been courted by every label imaginable and refused to sign. 'Label deals suck, that’s just the truth of it,' he told the Wall Street Journal in 2015..."

Feb. 22: Ta-Nehisi Coates

"Ta-Nehisi Coates is...writing sociopolitical and economic injustices into digestible realities. The only way to glean understanding of the experiences of minorities is having them spell it out for you..."

Feb. 27: Amandla Stenberg

"Stenberg is using her celebrity as a platform for change. She's very vocal about educating the masses on the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation in a way that's open and honest, not condescending..."

Feb. 28: Franchesca Ramsey

"Juggling her unique brand of information-via-comedy between national TV, YouTube, and social media platforms...Franchesca Ramsey is an important voice and face in our society's ever-changing and expanding collective conscious about equality and social justice..."

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